Northern Ireland man Jonathan Rea rides for the Castrol Honda team

Jonathan Rea is a doubt for this weekend's opening round of the World Superbike Championship after crashing in practice in Australia on Tuesday.

Rea, 24, dislocated his ringer finger on his left hand and was scheduled to undergo scans in a Melbourne hospital on a suspected wrist injury.

Prior to his crash, Rea had set the third fastest time of Tuesday's practice session on his Castrol Honda.

Rea crashed off at the circuit's turn three after his bike went on fire.

"I'm so frustrated because we were just about there on race pace and everything was feeling really good," said Rea after the crash.

"Early in this afternoon's session, I was in turn three and winding it on when I suddenly felt the rear squirming and then I realised the bike was on fire.

"Basically I had to get off it quickly and unfortunately it was at 130mph, which is quick enough.

"My finger and wrist are sore - in fact I'm pretty sore all over - but I'm still waiting for the final diagnosis.

"At the moment it's too early to know how I'll be feeling at the weekend.

"It's one of those things that you don't expect and can't prepare for, but it's nobody's fault and we'll just have to hope I can be back on it soon."

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